Multiple Choice
Identify the
choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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Part of Speech
In each of the following groups, identify the letter
of the item that indicates the part or parts of speech of the word given.
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1.
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abominate
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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2.
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adventitious
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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3.
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circuitous
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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4.
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expiate
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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5.
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ferment
a. | noun and verb | b. | noun and adjective | c. | adjective and
verb | d. | adverb and adjective |
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6.
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nominal
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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7.
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noncommittal
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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8.
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peculate
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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9.
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sangfroid
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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10.
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seditious
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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11.
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tenuous
a. | verb | b. | noun | c. | adjective | d. | adverb |
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Definition
In each of the following groups, identify the letter of
the word that corresponds to the definition given.
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12.
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accidental, not essential
a. | circuitous | b. | noncommittal | c. | vitriolic | d. | adventitious |
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13.
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acquired, not congenital
a. | circuitous | b. | noncommittal | c. | vitriolic | d. | adventitious |
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14.
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to credit, impute
a. | ferment | b. | expiate | c. | ascribe | d. | wheedle |
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15.
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roundabout, not direct
a. | tenuous | b. | nominal | c. | vitriolic | d. | circuitous |
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16.
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to sympathize with, have pity or be sorry for, share a feeling of
distress
a. | commiserate | b. | enjoin | c. | abominate | d. | wheedle |
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17.
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to direct or order
a. | commiserate | b. | peculate | c. | enjoin | d. | expiate |
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18.
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to accelerate, speed up
a. | ferment | b. | expedite | c. | ascribe | d. | abominate |
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19.
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to ward off or avert
a. | wheedle | b. | expiate | c. | enjoin | d. | expedite |
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20.
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to be in or work into a state of great excitement, agitation, or
turbulence
a. | ferment | b. | expiate | c. | wheedle | d. | abominate |
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21.
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resulting from or marked by lack of attention
a. | seditious | b. | circuitous | c. | inadvertent | d. | noncommittal |
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22.
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unintentional, accidental
a. | seditious | b. | circuitous | c. | inadvertent | d. | noncommittal |
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23.
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too small to be considered or taken seriously
a. | noncommittal | b. | nominal | c. | tenuous | d. | adventitious |
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24.
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not decisive or definite
a. | seditious | b. | circuitous | c. | vitriolic | d. | noncommittal |
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25.
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unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
a. | seditious | b. | circuitous | c. | vitriolic | d. | noncommittal |
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26.
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to steal something that has been given into one’s trust
a. | ferment | b. | wheedle | c. | peculate | d. | expiate |
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27.
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a penchant, propensity
a. | proclivity | b. | sangfroid | c. | acculturation | d. | ferment |
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28.
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resistant to lawful authority
a. | tenuous | b. | seditious | c. | inadvertent | d. | adventitious |
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29.
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having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
a. | tenuous | b. | seditious | c. | inadvertent | d. | adventitious |
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30.
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thin, slender, not dense
a. | nominal | b. | inadvertent | c. | adventitious | d. | tenuous |
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31.
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bitter, sarcastic
a. | seditious | b. | vitriolic | c. | circuitous | d. | noncommittal |
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32.
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highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
a. | seditious | b. | vitriolic | c. | circuitous | d. | noncommittal |
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33.
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to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
a. | peculate | b. | abominate | c. | wheedle | d. | commiserate |
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34.
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to cajole, sweet-talk
a. | peculate | b. | abominate | c. | wheedle | d. | commiserate |
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Synonym
In each of the following groups, identify the letter of the
item that means the same as the boldface word in the introductory phrase.
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35.
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as a result of steady acculturation
a. | exercise | b. | vigilance | c. | education | d. | modification |
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36.
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an adventitious windfall of profit
a. | essential | b. | accidental | c. | occasional | d. | magnificent |
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37.
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ascribe the failure to bad luck
a. | accelerate | b. | impute | c. | coerce | d. | inscribe |
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38.
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ascribe human qualities to pets
a. | discredit | b. | attribute | c. | notice | d. | single out |
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39.
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can commiserate with us
a. | sympathize | b. | indulge | c. | escape | d. | align |
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40.
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enjoined a strict political orthodoxy
a. | ridiculed | b. | ordered | c. | observed | d. | announced |
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41.
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to expedite the evaluation process
a. | hamper | b. | facilitate | c. | coerce | d. | participate in |
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42.
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might expedite your tax refund
a. | obstruct | b. | squander | c. | accelerate | d. | submit |
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43.
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tried to expiate their offense
a. | worsen | b. | explain | c. | atone
for | d. | forget |
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44.
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inadvertent rudeness
a. | deliberate | b. | unintentional | c. | shocking | d. | embarrassing |
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45.
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whether inadvertent or done purposely
a. | accidental | b. | harmful | c. | tasteless | d. | occasional |
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46.
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a witness who was noncommittal
a. | after the fact | b. | playing it safe | c. | over the
hill | d. | under the weather |
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47.
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peculated the insurance settlement
a. | depleted | b. | submitted | c. | acknowledged | d. | misappropriated |
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48.
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shows a proclivity for languages
a. | propensity | b. | disregard | c. | hesitancy | d. | passion |
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49.
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surprising sangfroid for one that age
a. | education | b. | memory | c. | poise | d. | strength |
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50.
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accused of seditious conduct
a. | sloppy | b. | subversive | c. | inflexible | d. | belligerent |
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51.
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strikes me as a tenuous excuse
a. | brilliant | b. | temporary | c. | substantial | d. | flimsy |
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52.
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had a tenuous notion that it was wrong
a. | numerous | b. | hazy | c. | scandalous | d. | transient |
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53.
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ignored the vitriolic complaint
a. | bitter | b. | honeyed | c. | elaborate | d. | slapdash |
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54.
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wheedled us into making a donation
a. | intimidated | b. | shamed | c. | cajoled | d. | dissuaded |
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55.
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tried to wheedle us into babysitting
a. | hire | b. | force | c. | coax | d. | embarrass |
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Antonym
In each of the following groups, identify the letter of the
item that means the opposite or almost the opposite of the boldface expression
in the introductory phrase.
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56.
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abominated by her peers
a. | warned | b. | knighted | c. | esteemed | d. | made welcome |
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57.
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thought the qualities adventitious
a. | inherent | b. | monumental | c. | audacious | d. | trivial |
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58.
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adventitious features
a. | curious | b. | essential | c. | unworkable | d. | unnecessary |
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59.
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got lost on the circuitous path
a. | straight | b. | woodsy | c. | winding | d. | well-marked |
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60.
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was eager to commiserate
a. | sympathize with | b. | feel no sympathy for | c. | cajole | d. | atone |
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61.
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expedite their passport applications
a. | cancel | b. | obstruct | c. | simplify | d. | highlight |
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62.
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decade of social ferment
a. | unrest | b. | change | c. | placidity | d. | repression |
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63.
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untouched by ferment
a. | chapter and verse | b. | storm and stress | c. | peace and
quiet | d. | guilt |
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64.
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made only nominal changes
a. | minute | b. | necessary | c. | modest | d. | excessive |
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65.
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noncommittal responses
a. | cagey | b. | conditional | c. | predictable | d. | definite |
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66.
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with complete sangfroid
a. | domination | b. | composure | c. | hysteria | d. | recklessness |
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67.
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seditious intentions
a. | faithful | b. | romantic | c. | rebellious | d. | destructive |
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68.
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held a tenuous lead
a. | solid | b. | slender | c. | flimsy | d. | encouraging |
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Completing the Sentence
From the four items given, identify the
letter of the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
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69.
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I strongly object to cruelty to animals, yet I _____ radical activists throwing
paint at people who wear fur or leather garments.
a. | abominate | b. | acculturate | c. | enjoin | d. | expedite |
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70.
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Although my parents _____ most of the music I enjoy, they have grown quite fond
of the Moroccan singing group I admire.
a. | expiate | b. | abominate | c. | ferment | d. | peculate |
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71.
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Janet _____ spinach with a passion, and under no circumstances will she eat
it.
a. | abominates | b. | ascribes | c. | expedites | d. | ferments |
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72.
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The normal process of _____ into American society is especially difficult for
new arrivals who have left behind lives of tyranny and deprivation.
a. | sangfroid | b. | acculturation | c. | ferment | d. | proclivity |
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73.
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When Gwen joined the company, she had to undergo a process of _____, habituating
herself to the office climate and to the corporation’s policies.
a. | sangfroid | b. | proclivity | c. | ferment | d. | acculturation |
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74.
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After a thorough investigation, the authorities have _____ the cause of the
accident to faulty brakes.
a. | enjoined | b. | ascribed | c. | peculated | d. | wheedled |
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75.
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Scientific dating methods proved that the portrait, which had long been _____ to
Velázquez, was actually painted well after that artist’s death.
a. | expedited | b. | enjoined | c. | ascribed | d. | abominated |
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76.
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Some historians have _____ a sense of humor to Queen Victoria, but one of the
most famous sayings attributed to her is, “We are not amused.”
a. | commiserated | b. | fermented | c. | ascribed | d. | expedited |
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77.
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We chose a very _____ way across town, but whatever time we lost by avoiding the
main roads we made up for by stumbling upon lesser-known neighborhoods and quiet streets.
a. | noncommittal | b. | inadvertent | c. | circuitous | d. | seditious |
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78.
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Because the main highway was closed, we had to reach the town by a(n) _____
route, detouring out of our way for 25 miles.
a. | circuitous | b. | noncommittal | c. | vitriolic | d. | inadvertent |
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79.
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It was truly touching to see total strangers _____ with each other over the
president’s sudden and unexpected death.
a. | peculate | b. | abominate | c. | commiserate | d. | expiate |
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80.
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People who share a powerful experience may prefer to _____ with each other
rather than talk with others who, although well-intentioned, may never grasp the full impact of the
event.
a. | ferment | b. | commiserate | c. | peculate | d. | ascribe |
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81.
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Editorials in all the newspapers _____ citizens to get out and vote on Election
Day, but the voter turnout was still barely 50%.
a. | fermented | b. | peculated | c. | enjoined | d. | ascribed |
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82.
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For an extra charge, you can _____ delivery of that package, insuring that it
will reach its destination within 24 hours.
a. | expedite | b. | peculate | c. | commiserate | d. | ascribe |
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83.
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In Schiller’s version of the story of William Tell, Tell is encouraged to
kneel down and _____ his crime “...with burning penitential tears.”
a. | abominate | b. | peculate | c. | wheedle | d. | expiate |
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84.
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Apple juice that may not be sweet enough to drink can be held in vats to allow
it to _____ into vinegar.
a. | wheedle | b. | ferment | c. | peculate | d. | ascribe |
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85.
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As the idea for my next novel slowly _____ and matured in my head, plot,
characters, setting, and even dialogue changed repeatedly.
a. | wheedled | b. | abominated | c. | commiserated | d. | fermented |
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86.
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The _____ of the impending war led thousands of men to enlist in the army
despite the protests of their parents and loved ones.
a. | acculturation | b. | ferment | c. | proclivity | d. | sangfroid |
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87.
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I’m afraid that with a tiny slip of the tongue I _____ gave away the
long-held secret.
a. | seditiously | b. | inadvertently | c. | tenuously | d. | nominally |
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88.
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My _____ late payment of the electricity bill caused me to sit by candlelight
for three hours before power was restored.
a. | nominal | b. | vitriolic | c. | inadvertent | d. | seditious |
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89.
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“The omission of your name on the acknowledgments page was _____, and the
error will surely be corrected when the book is printed in a new edition.”
a. | inadvertent | b. | tenuous | c. | vitriolic | d. | seditious |
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90.
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Although the monarch is the _____ leader of the kingdom, the real power lies
with the eleven members of the Royal Council.
a. | seditious | b. | nominal | c. | adventitious | d. | circuitous |
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91.
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For the past two years, there has been just a(n) _____ increase in the cost of
living, amounting only to .01%.
a. | nominal | b. | inadvertent | c. | vitriolic | d. | noncommittal |
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92.
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During a discussion about where to go for dinner, Mom remained _____, so we got
our wish to try the popular new Australian restaurant.
a. | adventitious | b. | circuitous | c. | nominal | d. | noncommittal |
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93.
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The governor thinks that it is unwise to take a stand on that issue at this
time; she prefers to remain _____.
a. | seditious | b. | noncommittal | c. | inadvertent | d. | adventitious |
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94.
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The treasurer’s crafty plot to _____ from the retirement fund was not
detected until the account was nearly depleted.
a. | wheedle | b. | enjoin | c. | ferment | d. | peculate |
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95.
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Parents may well wonder whether a young child’s _____ for building
extraordinary structures with toy blocks may one day evolve into a career in architecture or
engineering.
a. | ferment | b. | proclivity | c. | sangfroid | d. | acculturation |
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96.
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Moviegoers with a(n) _____ for suspense and melodrama generally find horror
films appealing.
a. | proclivity | b. | sangfroid | c. | ferment | d. | acculturation |
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97.
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The dictator regarded the protesters as _____, and he ordered their imprisonment
as traitors to the government.
a. | seditious | b. | vitriolic | c. | nominal | d. | circuitous |
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98.
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When critics lash out using _____ language, the validity of some of their points
may be compromised by the confrontational tone.
a. | inadvertent | b. | vitriolic | c. | noncommittal | d. | circuitous |
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99.
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We had expected Ira’s criticism to be severe, but the bitter, _____ way in
which he expressed it surprised us.
a. | vitriolic | b. | adventitious | c. | seditious | d. | tenuous |
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100.
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Max continued to _____ his parents, and finally they consented to let him come
home at 1 A.M. on the night of the school prom.
a. | wheedle | b. | expedite | c. | peculate | d. | ascribe |
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